Transport

Driving instructor

Driving instructors teach people how to drive safely and pass their driving test.

Annual Salary

£32,000 to £45,000

Working hours

20 to 40 variable

You could work: in your own business; as customers demand

0.3%
Future employment

There will be 0.3% fewer Driving instructor jobs in 2029.
In your local area

What's it all about?

Day-to-day tasks

As a driving instructor, you could:

  • plan a series of lessons and routes for your learners
  • teach learners about road safety, driving laws and The Highway Code
  • instruct learners on controls, and how to steer, turn, reverse and park safely
  • explain what to do in emergency situations
  • discuss basic vehicle checks
  • prepare learners for their driving test
  • keep records of appointments and payments
  • manage your business

Working environment

You could work from a vehicle, in an office or from home.

You can get into this job by doing an instructor course with a commercial training organisation.

Other routes

Your first step is to check if you can apply to become an approved driving instructor.

The next stage is to find a training provider on the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) register.

You'll need to pass the approved driving instructor part 1 and part 2 exams. If successful, you can get a 6-month licence that allows you to train learner drivers and legally charge for lessons.

You must then pass the part 3 exam to fully qualify as an instructor and get onto the ADI register.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • pass motoring conviction checks
  • pass enhanced background checks
  • be able to read a licence plate at 90 feet or 27.5m, with glasses or contact lenses if worn
  • have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 3 years
  • be over 21 years of age

More information

Career tips

You would normally charge for lessons by the hour, so your salary will depend on how many hours you work and the demand for training in your area.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join a driving instructor association to keep up to date with industry news and for support with professional development.

Further information

You can find out more on how to become a driving instructor on GOV.UK.

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With experience and training you could move into specialist areas, like advanced driver training or training disabled drivers. You might also train drivers of passenger carrying vehicles, large goods vehicles (LGV) or emergency services vehicles.

GOV.UK has information on professional development and if you're highly experienced, you could become a driving examiner.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • customer service skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • the ability to work on your own
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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